Directgov joins the Cabinet Office efficiency drive

This news article was published under
the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Directgov, the central website for public services, will join the powerful new Efficiency and Reform Group in the Cabinet Office.

Directgov, the central website for public services, will join the powerful new Efficiency and Reform Group in the Cabinet Office, the Prime Minister announced today.

With up to 29 million visits a month, Directgov is the main route for accessing essential online government services and information. People can use Directgov to tax their cars, search for jobs, find out about benefits and much more.

Today’s move puts new energy behind the drive to get more people and public services online. Martha Lane Fox, UK Digital Champion, will drive a transformation and redirection of Directgov as part of her role advising government on how efficiencies can best be realised through the online delivery of public services.

Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude said:

Getting more people and public services online is essential if we’re going to cut the cost of public services while maintaining standards. This move puts Directgov in a stronger position to implement efficiency savings and provide more information and services that are easier and more accessible for people to use.

The Efficiency and Reform Group now draws together under one roof procurement, ICT, communications, HR and performance. It is the taxpayer’s champion, combining the authority of the Treasury and Cabinet Office, reaching out across the public sector and now going directly to the people we serve through Directgov.

Responsibility for Directgov moves from the Department of Work and Pensions to the Cabinet Office with immediate effect. It will sit in the Government Communications team headed by Matt Tee, Permanent Secretary Government Communications, and overseen by the Efficiency Board which is co-chaired by Mr Maude and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

Mr Tee said:

People are changing the way they interact with organisations and each other. Government needs not only to keep up with peoples’ habits but to lead in innovations that will improve their lives. Directgov will enable the government to consolidate its online identity and interact with people in a better more accessible way.

Notes to editors

The government has committed to make immediate savings of £6.2 billion.